Bricklayers Essex

What is a Bricklayer?

A bricklayer is a tradesperson who lays bricks in order to construct brickwork such as a house foundation, wall, or other brick structure. In the United Kingdom a bricklayer is usually referred to as a “brickie”. Bricklayers Essex, amongst other regions, must go through a variety of educational pursuits in order to be called a master craftsman move up to owning their own company.

A tradesman in bricklaying has to go through formal education usually beginning with an apprenticeship in which the individual learns and works with a master craftsperson. The apprenticeship will last for many years until the person becomes known as a journeyman. A journeyman has proved his worth in the trade and can begin to call himself a master craftsperson and thus take on apprentices of his own. Sir Winston Churchill was a notable person who laid bricks only as a hobby.

Bricklayers in the UK can use the European style of formal training or go through a more modern process. A tradesman must still be an apprentice at the beginning, but only a part of the work is with a qualified craftsman. The other education is through an accredited college such as a technical institute. This places the bricklayers Essex in level one and they must work through two and three before they are completed learners of the brick trade. There are city and guild foundations, intermediate and advanced awards, and NVQ levels one must have to be called a master. After college a bricklayer must work two years before gaining level two. It takes at least four years before a person can be called a master craftsman. In the UK just because one is fully qualified that does not mean they are an expert. Instead, most believe at least 10 years in the business are required before they can be out on their own with their own company.

Bricklayers are different in Germany. In Germany apprentices learn the necessary skills, go to a vocational school and after three years of training they can complete an exam held by a guild. They have to show how to protect a home from water ingress and humidity, as well as thermal insulation needs, and health and safety. Still, Germany does have three levels of journeyman like the UK.

In most of Europe and the UK people cannot be called masters until they have a certain number of years of experience. In other words a master has gained as much knowledge as possible to be revered by those in the field, thus one seeks their advice in order to become a great master craftsman.

Bricklayers Essex are real people with real education in the world; however, many bricklayers have been known in fiction. John Fante, an Italian- American author has created one of the more notable fictional characters regarding bricklayers and their history as something to revere. The author even spent much of his youth becoming a master in the field before turning to writing.